The world of cultivation was built on opportunities.
A single ancient treasure could change the destiny of a weak person.
A single encounter could transform a nobody into a supreme expert.
For protagonists...
These opportunities were the foundation of their legends.
But today...
One of those opportunities had a new owner.
Knox Void.
Inside the luxurious study of the Void Emperor Clan, Knox sat calmly on a throne-like chair.
A transparent screen floated before his eyes.
[Destiny Event Detected.]
[Protagonist Adrian Vale's first major opportunity has appeared.]
[Opportunity Name: Ancient Heavenly Flame.]
[Location: Black Mountain Ruins.]
[Time Until Opportunity Appears: 7 Days.]
Knox tapped his finger on the table.
"So this is his first lucky encounter."
According to the original story, Adrian would accidentally enter the Black Mountain Ruins while escaping from enemies.
Inside the ruins, he would discover an ancient flame left behind by a legendary alchemist.
With the help of that flame, Adrian would improve his cultivation, refine powerful pills, and begin his rise.
A normal villain would try to kill Adrian immediately.
But Knox was not interested in that.
"Killing a weak protagonist is boring."
His eyes became sharp.
"I want to see how powerful he can become."
A smile appeared.
"Then I will take away everything that made him powerful."
[Ding!]
[Host has made a villainous decision.]
[Villain Points +200.]
[Reward: Information about hidden opportunities.]
Knox smiled.
The system understood him.
Seven days later.
Black Mountain Ruins.
A dangerous area filled with ancient beasts and deadly formations.
Countless cultivators avoided this place.
But today, two different destinies arrived.
One was Adrian Vale.
The other was Knox Void.
Adrian stood outside the ruins with a serious expression.
"This place..."
He felt a strange attraction.
The ancient soul inside his body spoke.
"Be careful."
"This place contains an extremely powerful energy."
Adrian nodded.
"I understand."
He stepped forward.
However...
He suddenly stopped.
Someone was already inside.
A young man wearing a black robe stood near the entrance.
Behind him were several powerful guards.
Adrian's pupils shrank.
"Knox Void..."
Knox turned around.
A small smile appeared.
"Long time no see, protagonist."
Adrian frowned.
"You were waiting here?"
"Of course."
Knox walked closer.
"You should know something."
"What?"
"Your luck is extremely obvious."
Adrian's expression changed.
"What are you talking about?"
Knox laughed.
"Nothing."
He looked toward the ruins.
"I'm just interested in this place."
Adrian became cautious.
The feeling he got from Knox was strange.
It was as if...
Knox knew everything.
Deep inside the ruins.
Ancient symbols covered the walls.
A powerful flame floated in the center of a hidden chamber.
The Ancient Heavenly Flame.
The treasure that was supposed to belong to Adrian.
Adrian's breathing became faster.
"The energy..."
The ancient soul inside him became excited.
"This is a legendary flame!"
Adrian stepped forward.
But before he could reach it...
A hand grabbed the flame.
Knox.
Adrian froze.
"You..."
Knox looked at the flame.
"So this is the opportunity that was supposed to change your fate."
The ancient soul inside Adrian became shocked.
"How does he know?"
Knox absorbed the flame into his storage ring.
[Ding!]
[Host has successfully stolen protagonist opportunity.]
[Changing destiny...]
[Protagonist Luck -1000.]
[Villain Points +1500.]
[Reward: Supreme Flame Control.]
Knox felt the powerful flame energy enter his body.
A purple-black flame appeared around his hand.
The Ancient Heavenly Flame.
But strangely...
It did not resist him.
Because Knox's Void Bloodline was powerful enough to suppress it.
Adrian clenched his fists.
For the first time...
He felt helpless.
That flame was supposed to be his.
The chance to change his life.
Gone.
Knox looked at him.
"You are angry."
Adrian remained silent.
Knox continued.
"Good."
"Anger creates determination."
Adrian looked at him.
"Why?"
"Why did you take it?"
Knox smiled.
"Because I can."
Those simple words carried absolute confidence.
Adrian's eyes burned.
"You really are a villain."
Knox turned around.
"Yes."
"I never denied it."
A silence followed.
Then Knox said:
"But remember one thing."
"Your destiny is not yours because the heavens gave it to you."
"It is yours only if you have the strength to protect it."
Adrian stared at him.
Those words...
Angered him.
But they also awakened something inside him.
Knox walked away.
The protagonist had lost his first opportunity.
But instead of destroying his spirit...
Knox had unknowingly created a stronger enemy.
That night.
Inside the Void Emperor Clan.
Knox looked at the purple-black flame floating above his palm.
[Congratulations.]
[Host has successfully interfered with protagonist destiny.]
[New Feature Unlocked.]
[Villain Evolution System.]
[The stronger the enemies you defeat, the stronger the host becomes.]
Knox smiled.
"The protagonist's story has changed."
He looked toward the distant sky.
"Now..."
"Let's see how you survive without your lucky encounters."
Meanwhile, in a small room inside Azure Sky City...
Adrian sat silently.
His opportunity was stolen.
His enemy was overwhelming.
But instead of giving up...
He smiled.
"Knox Void."
"I don't know what secret you have..."
"But I will surpass you."
The hero's journey had changed.
The villain had taken the first move.
And the world had officially entered a new era.
The Era of The Villain.
End of Chapter 3